op philadelphia



H. P. RIDGELY SAFETY SWITCH Filed Jan. 2. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-I.

INVENTOR. 7 2 By Q ATTORNEY Aug. 211,4 1923. 1,466,481

H. P. RIDGELY SAFETY SWITCH Filed aan. a, 1920 2 sheets-shut 2 INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

UNITEQI'JL STATES PArENroFFicE.

HOLLAND PIRIDGELY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIcNon 'rov THE CIITLER ELECTRICAL AND MANUPACPURING COMPANY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A coRPoHATIoN or NEW JERSEY.

SAFETY SWITCH.

. Application led January 2, 1920. Serial No. 348,920.

To 'all wwm t my cof/wem:

Be it known that I, HOLLAND P. RIUGDLY, a citizen of4 the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain-new and useful 4Improvements in Safety Switches, of which Vthe following 'is a specification.

My invention'reiates to; safety switches ot the character comprising electrical switching mechanism disposed Withina'housing and operablefrom the exterior thereofthe housing provided with' a movable cover, door or Wall' permitting access tothe. interior of the housing, but only when the switchingmechanis'ni is in a'predetermined posit-ion.v 'My Iinvention resides "in safety switch structure.v of the characterhereinafter def scribed vWliereinfthe?movablehousing Wall or door is' locked in closed position when the switching:mechanistic is in circuit closing position; the?operatingK means` for i the switchingr mechanism is"v locked against 4actuation ofthe switchingme'chani'sm to circuit closingposition -While thehousing Wall or door is open',.andis` released for actuation only upon closure of said wall or door and actuation of 'aMdetentf member-bye? key-member carried: bysaidwallor door a member for shieldingfr covering the service terminals of the* 'switching mechanisnr when `said switchngm'echanism--is moved to open circuit position, 'said memberbeing'operativei ly' connectedy with thedoor latch;V and the j drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a plan vie7 of my safety switch in open circuit position with the housing door open. A

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the structure show in Fig. 1 looking from left toward the right'within the housing.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view. similar to Fig. 2. with the door locked closed andtheA switching mechanism in circuit closing position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the lineAi-'A oiFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line A-AV of Fig. 3. A 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken on the line B-B o f Fig. 3.

Fig. is a fragmentaryperspective view of actuating andicontrolling: parts.

Referring to theydrawingsjl .is the bottom of the box, of sheet'metalpr other suitable materiah'and liav'ing.theside-'Walls 2 and-3 andthe end i'valls'4iand 5. f-Hinged to the' top edge of the sidewall 3 at'G'and Tis the movable housing Wall or door 8.

Secured Within the boit upon the bottom 1 is the base'9 ofslate-or'other-suitable insulating material uponfwhich :are secured the stationary/[switch terminals-10m which are secured 'the service Unsupplycableor conductor terminals; 11, -the vsupply'conductors or' cables, not-shown, extendingr through apertures 12 in theboX-lwallAf Pivoted at 1?, in the standards 14 secured upon the1base 1 are'the'switch-blades15,: oneffor each of the' serviceterm'malls- 10,:-apdi` adapted t'oI be moved' upon'theirx pivots leftorfengage said terminals 10.".Ii1 electrical-communication with each of thswitch--blaide'srl through the standards iare thefnsefterminalsor clipsl mounted upon the base-1 and with which engage the terminals? lfupon theffuse structures 18,each'fo which has at its-other end a similar terminal 19 engaging-iii a consumptioir circuit terminal. 20T secured upon the base 1 arid"in-electrical-communication with cachot-Which is a terminal 21 ofa consumption circ-uit conductor or cable, not shown;'extending-through holes 22 in the endwall 5-oftheswitch--l1ousingzi-4 It will f readily :be understood that when the switch blades 15 are Vin'''enga,gement .with the terminals-:10, -rtheconsumption circuit conductors: 'are'. brought into electrical communication through-.the fuses 18a-nd said switch bladsl wi'th"th`e supply orservice terminalslO. p

Secured tothe ends of t-hesIritchfhlades l'remote 'from theirwpivots 13-is the' bar of insulating material 23 by which they are simultaneously actuated. Secured-by screws 24 to the bar 23 are the members 25 through pivot holes vin Which'extendfthe crank '"or lever members 26 whose other ends are pivoted in .thel nuernberg-2 7 upon the ,switch arm 28 whose one end is pivoted at29 upon the box Wall 3 and at its other end at 30 to the stud shaft 3 1, which extends through the box wall 2 to the exterior of the box and which is rotatable in the bearing formed by the members 32 held between plates 33, the rivets 34 extending through the plates 33, members 32 and the wall 2 to hold all in place, as indicated in Fig; 6.

Beyond the pivot the switch arm 28 has an extensionor arm 35. In the angle between the arms 28 and 35 isv disposed the operating lever 36 secured by Screws or rivets 37 to the aforesaid stud shaft 31. To the outer end is Secured by said screws or rivets 3T or vother means the operators lever 38 having the hand grip 39.

Surrounding the stud 31 is the washer or plate 40 between which andthe neighboring plate or washer 33 is disposed the cam or latch actuator member- 41 having the lug or projectio42 adjacentwhich is the recess '43. Disposed in the plane of the canrdisk'41 is the latchmembe're44 pivoted at 45 upon the box wall 2. -At its inner end adjacent the cam member 41 the latchmember 44 has the arcui ete recess 46ofisubstantially the same radius asthe'circulai'p'eriphery of the cam or actuator plate 41, whereby notwithstanding rotation of the cam plate- 41 through a considerable angle the latch 44- is prevented fromtrotati'rig' upon itspivot 45, in a manner Similarft that characteristic of Geneva Sums; kA't'itsother end the latch member 44 has the hook end 47v adapted toenter'the openingr 48in the inner"end=' 0A of the rotary key member 49 carriedby the door 8.

'Pvoted to 4the box'wall 2 at 51v isl'the deteilb 52 towhosefo'ne end is connected the spring-53 connected at its other end at 54 toithewall1=2,`the spring 53v being put in tension'by counter-clockwise'rotation of the detcnt52 about-its pivot 51, as viewed from the right of Fi'g. 7. At its other end the detent-'lever 52 has the inwardly turned' detent or oiset 55 having `the outward extension 5'5, which latter is actuated: by turning key member 49 to rotate member 52 to withdraw detentf55-from position in which it prevents clockwise rotation of latchfinember 44 as viewed in'Fig` 2. Covering and preventingr access to or 1mpl'oper actuation of detent lever 52 when the door 8 is open is the member 57'secured upon the inner surface ofthe box Wall 2 and having in its side 58 the aperture y59,-Figf. l, through which the inner end of the aforesaid key member- 49 on the cover 8 may project to engage the detent .55 of lever 52 to move detent out of the path of travel of the hook endY 47 of the 'latch member 44.

Extendingl upwardly from the bottom i adjacent the end wall 4 is the sheet'J metal plate; G (khaving the inwardly turned .flange Pivoted at 62 in the-side walls 2 and 6i. 3 are the members 63 to one end of each of which, is securedY the member 64,.aspf

the member 64 will be rotated upon the pivot s I )ivoted to the box orv any other suitable fixed member, as at 687 is one end of a rod 69 connected to one end of the tensionspring F0 whose other end i pivoted zit-72 toi'thfswitch arm 28. l The At the opposite end eoacts with :the rod- 71 pivots 68 arid:f72 are soidisposed that when the switching mechanism is .in circuit closing: position as indicatedinFigf-,ithe spring is intension'with the-pivot 30 of' the switch armi 28 'in li'ne with the pivots 68 `and -7 2 or slightly-to the left thereof, in'position corresponding with Figa 3, whereby the structure v :has 'attainedl 1 a position slightly past dead cetei-,whereby' the spriii '76,"notwithstanding `its tension,-is 'of itselincapable of opening thel switching mechanism.

Upon the eXterionof-the wal12-issecured the member', 4F, 1:.^-5'1, through a' hole vin which-may extend th lockng'f'member of a padlock mbracin also' the' loperating level` 38,'whei-ebythe latteniis'locked against. unauthorized use'. Assuming thel switch in open position and the door 8 open,fth'e parts are' in the relative positions indicated .in Figs.- 1 and 2,` and fthe .one point,"as 46;.Fi :2, ofthe latch membei'Y 44- beingin'the recess'43`of thecam or latch nctuaftngme 'ber 41, the latch: membei' 44 'being in the position 'indicated in Fig'. 2. whereinithetdet'ent 55 prevents clockwise movement of thef'latchl member 44 upon its pivot' 45. andthe operatiors 'lever-38 is therefore locked in the position indicated; and the member l6 4 covering! the live or-'supply circuit.' terminals l0. is also locked'.

With-the partsin this position any or all. of the fuses 1'8 may be withdrawn or inserted. or'blowm fuses replaced` To close the sivitchinsimechanisn'i it is first nccessarv to'swing the door to' its closed position. and in so doin,fr the end- 504 of the kev member 49 upon the door 8 enters the slot 59 in the guardingor housingmcmber 5T. to position beside extension 55 on detcnt 55: key 49 is then rotated and its end 50 engages 55 and so movesdetent 55 from in front 'of hook- 47 on member 44 in opposition to sprinf4 53. :Xs the kev 49'is rotated :is aforesaid to thrust theY detect 45icrom position in front of hook-end 47 of 'latch member 44, the offset end 50, of the key member 49, in virtue of the h olei48therein, rotates over the extreme end ,ofthe hook 47, whereby that. hook tinds itself en aged in the lioler48, und in consequence the oor or woll S is immediately locked-in closed posit-ion. The operators leverBS may now, since the latch member 44 is itself unlocked, be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, whereupon the lug 43-, formingl the wnll of the recess 43 in the cam' member-'1I opposite the 111,9,r or nose 4 2, also rotating in n counterclorwisc directiomengages the point- 46 of the latch member 44, causing .that member to rotate in clockwise direction upon its pivot 45. during the eurlierstages of the countercloclnvisel movement of the leverBS from its position indicatedvin Fig. 2. Accordingly the'hook end 47 ofthe latch member 44 passes further into4 the,openin1 48 in the inner end 50 of the'key member 49 upon thedooroc cover 8, into the posi'- l tion shown in Fig. 3, whereby it is impossible, now that the closingr movement of the switch mechanism. has been begun, to open the door 8.

-In so moving to the position indicated in Fig.- --the latch-member hasactuatedtlie shield member -64 tOLbringit to iits: position indicntedin Fig. 3. r

Further movement in counterclockwise dif rection of the opcrutorslever-BS takes? place without. further movement of the latch memberi/l-x upon its pivot. 45, sinccrits, arcuate end 46'now embraces the circulan` periphery o the comer-latch actuatingyplatefkl und locks the latch member 44 in s'the;positionin rlicatedinlig: The aforesairl'continued movement of the operuto1"s-le\er 38e-hows' over, finally brings the nctuutiiiginember into engagement with the switclr iirmsQS, forcing the lntlcr to rotate in counterclock.-

wise direction upon its pivots 29,A 30, in op;

posit-ion to springtr 70, until the switching mechanism attains circuit closing-positiou with thc switch blades 15 in engagement with the sci-vice terminals 10, as indicated in Fig- 3- i i .7.

Current will now pass from service termi nais through the switchingr mechanism and the fuses t8 and thence through-the consumption cin-nit terminals to the consumpf tion circuit.

1Vith the switching: mechanism so in circuit closingA position it is impossibleto goin access to thc interiml of the box hccmise the door is locked by' the lntchingrmembcr 44.v

The circuit. muy be broken b v moving the operators lever BS from the posit-ion 'indi-I cntedin dotted lncs in Fig. 3 in clockwise direction, ns viewed in said figure, the first part ot' the movement of the opcrators lever 37 being frecuntil the actuating arm 36, leaving engagement with the switch :inn 28,

nallycngegcs the arm ci the: meniben 28, finally y:forcing the member' 28-to 'partnkeof thefsimilm's clockwise rotation.` v lloweven after smalle'xtent ofclockwise movement of ,the arm. 2Sv thepivotx72 to'which the tension spring is`.attachedf;passes the .dead center position; and the;spring'V 70 by its tensionzthen quickly? rotates the arm 28 and the switch bladesfl in'cloclrwise direction, openingr the circuit by separating the'switch blades 15- from the termina-1s 10` the nrnr 28 again catching up .with the actuating arm 36, atwhich time the latch member44 is still -in itsposition indicatedin Fig. 3, hold'- .ing the door lockedinclosed position. Howover, 'further clockwise movement of the-operating' lever ElSrzLuSesI the recessAS to come topt )sitionfadjacent;I tliepoin 46 upon member 44, and? shortly'thereafter thenose or lug 42 upon thc c mior latch actuator member 41 engages the edge-.of-the-latch member-44 vadjacent the point. 46,-1'otating the member in `counterelockjvise directiom esl .vewed in F1 i .',3,. part ia1ly. withdrawing v.the..hook end 4- through .9pen;lg48 of..ther-key 49fon the door 8,- and-,simultaneously moving the member 64 into position indicated in Fi'g.- 2. The-doorSis still,-locked-closed-; il: may now bernnlockedb lrotating;1 key49 in reversefdrectionwith endl 47, whereupon-fthe s door,-m uyf -jbe swung open ,upon its hinges. 6,-' 7,?and. in .so- .doing .thm end .5.9 gof the key 49 iscfemoved-gfrpm thepth' ofi-he ,extension ,on .the datent lever 45 2; whereupon-thespring 553 contracts andj shifts' .the ,tletentf l in to Ashe Positi'on shown in Figs. 2 and 7 in. front oij; e hook endji; 0f ,the let-ch`membentherbifh0lfl -nrefitfinuilti-mst9n indicated: in Egsf and fictif-1311s' oefent,5mm-ine;throighathe leteh mmhemtnmdtthe' ampr', lafhiwtutnsniember ALJ with@ Operai-m98 lever 8!:.nf .tliei=t 9siti9e wxL-in iFeS--2f 11d if., prevent-ineremoral.itheshqld,member and .closure offthewitchingqmlfshmise? S0 lengths doqsiis .opsni By the 'lostg ;n1 ptio n, g connection between the .,ctilatng.memhervffend .tlm .Switch armstgand e quick snapsbresk of the Qmtis afsrfedf with amnishef sldenci' 'tchinontactsras wellzuntoI urging; :it-thesm cerstncdi-inthart.; ..g g.: Though myrinvcntion not .limited there# to. it-will benotezrllthamthe .pivotal axes of the Amovvrhle switch, element- ;imd-, of'zthe switch actuator nre .not-;'co i ncident.or .conf centric, und that the member 426 pivoteclto both nlords compact structure whereby not` withstanding saidi..eccentriity, the switch actuator may actuate or operate the movable switchelemcnts.. s

What Iclaim is: .4 1. The combination -With an electric switch, otehousingtherefor having emovf able wzill, ineens Aegtternjzil to said housing -for actuating said switch, 'a latch member -pivotcd within said housing for" holdng'Isa-id wall in closed position,"said latch operated by said actuating-means'andin turn loclfring said actuating means against movement, a movable detent vvithn saidhousing for holding said latch against actuatiomand a member with which said latchegag'es car ricd by and rotatable ivith respect to said' wall.

- 2. The combination with an eleclric switch, of a housing therefor, said housing having a movable Wall,- a latch Within tlio housing holding said wallV in closed position, means external to said housing for actuatin rr said switch and said latch, anda meinber within said housingr movable by "said actuating means to and from position for shielding terminals ofbsaid. switch. `V

3.y The combination vvit-h l an electric switclu of a housing` therefor, Vsajdhousing having a movable wall, a latch within the housing holding said Wallin close'flposition, means external to said hoilsin'g'g for'actuating said switch and said latch". and a switch terminal shielding member actuated byv said latch.

' i. The combination 'with' an', `electric switch, ot a hous'ingtheijefor, 'saidhous'ing havingr a movable Wall, aflatich iv'itlii'nthe housing holding said Walljn closed position. means external to said housing o actuatinq saidswitch and for actua-ting'sid latch independently ofsaid siwritch, `hand j. separate detcnt mem r tor-"holdin said latch against actuation when saidwa' l is open position.

5. The combination with 'an electric switch, of a housin'gthei'efor, housing having a movable 'v vall` a latch within the housing holding ysaid'vg'all in closed position. means external to said housingffor actuating said switch and for actuating said.

latch independentlyof Isaid' switclnandla.

i separate detent member biasedtd position for holding said latch against a'cituation 6. The combinationv with an electric switch, ofa housing herefolg said'hous'ing having a movable wall, ai latchuv'vithin the housing holding said Wall in closed position, means'exl ernal to said housing for `actuating said sivitch and said latch, adetentfor holding said latch against actuation and a member movable ivit-h said 'wall or eng-agement by said latch and for actuating said detent to free said latch.

n7? The `co'mbination with an ,electric switch, ot a housing1l therefor havi g a Inovable wall. means'externa` Vto saliti housing for actuating said switch, a `lat,cl1 member pivotcd within said housing for holding said wall in closed position., saidlatch operated by/said actuatingmeans and in turn locking said actuating means against movement, 4a

movable detent within` si'd-'housi'ng for said latchengage, said last named Vmember serving` alsoto actuatesaid detent to free 1said latch'.

'8.,The combination with en electric switch, of a housing'r therefor havingr a movable Wall, Aa latch within saidv housing for holding said' Wall in closed position While said sv'vitch'is in closed position, means operable'roni the exterior of said housing for actuatingr said switch, a cam member within said housing rotatable-with Vsaid actuating means and 'co-acting with said latch torostrain Vity against movement, said latch in turn when saidwall is in openl position re- Straining'said cam and thereby preventing actuation of said switch, and a member with vvhlch said latch engages carried by and rotatable 'with respcctto nsaid Wall.

MQrThe combination with an electric switchylof a housing therefor, said housinY having'a movablefwall, a latch within the housing holding'said Wall in closed position, means externalto said housingA for actuatinr'fl'said switch,flatclractuating means movable with said ac tuatinT means to move said latch independently ot? said switch tofree said Wall, a separatedebent s restraining; movement'of s'aid"flatch whensaid wall is freed therefrom, said latch when held by said "detient preventing movement of said switch actuatingmeans.

10. rlhe combination with an electric switch, of a himsingv therefor, said housingl having a. movable Wall, a'latch Within the housingmmovable independently of said lswitcV fonholding said wall closed position,L switch actuating'meansl having lost mo- 'ti'onwithrespectto said switcnuand latch actuating 4means movable with said switch a uating means'for moving said latch to position 'to lock s itid wall in closing said Switol'rand to freesaidrwall in opening?r said S'Witlif." i f 11j The combination with an, electric switch, of a housing therefor. said housingr having?7 a movable 'Wall` a latch within the housing movableindependently of said switch for holdinfrsaid wall in closed eosition, sivitch actuating' means having lost motion withV respect `to saidl switch, latch actuating means movable with said switch actuating mcanslfor movingY said latch to positin to lock Said wall in closing said switch andtofr'e said Wall in opening said switch, and a springr for snapping said switch open independently of said svi-itch actuatin'g "'y means' after initiation of switch openin| movement,

i lfd/'The 'combination with a pivoted switchgmem'ljer, of a housing enclosing the same, said housing having a movable wall, a'pivotedswitcli actuaton'an operating con- IiectionV between said actuator `and said housing holding said wall in closed position,`

means external to sai/d housing for actuating said switch and said latch, a detent for holding said latch against actuation when. said wall is in open position, and a key member carried by said Wall and rotatable with respect thereto to shift said detent.

14. The combination with an electricv switch, of a housing therefor, said housing having a movable Wall, a. latch Within the housing holding said Wall in closed position,

means external to said housing for actuat-V ing said switch and said latch, a detent for ho ding said latch against actuation when said wall is in open position, and a key member'carried by said wall and rotatable with respect thereto to shift said detent, said key member having an opening in which said latch engages 15. The combination with an electric switch, of a housing therefor having a movable WallL means external to said housing for actuatin said switch, a latch member pivoted withln said housing, a member with which said latch is adapted to engage carried by? and rotatable with respect to said Wall, and a pivoted detent member adapted to move to osition between said `member and said'latc In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this lst day of December', 1919.

HOLLAND P. RIDGELY. 

